Ring system with interchangeable pieces

ABSTRACT

A ring assembly, including: a circumferential component including a protruding member; and a decorative component, having decorative indicia disposed on an upper surface, and a socket opening disposed in a lower surface having dimensions corresponding to the protruding member, the ring assembly being movable from an initially disassembled state to a fully assembled state in which the protruding member is inserted in the socket opening, and engages the decorative component.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modifiable jewelry and, more particularly, to a ring system where each piece of the ring can be interchanged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist various systems for replacing a gem of a ring with one or more other gems. There also exist systems for providing different ring configurations.

By and large the interchangeable ring systems have a cup or holder that fits into the ring assembly such that the holder includes a male connector piece and the band component is the female connector/receptacle. Other assemblies include a clasp configuration comprised of moveable sections that open and close, such that the gem can be removed and replaced with another gem. Reversible ring systems are also known in the art. These systems can be locked in one of two configurations, but the gem cannot be removed and replaced.

No ring systems exist where the band(s) of the ring system is/are hooked inside the ‘gem section’ in order to secure the gem section to the band(s).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an innovative ring band which can be personalized or changed at will. The system is made up of three parts in a disassembled state: a first ring band with a protrusion (curved rod) jutting perpendicular to the plane of the band, a second ring band similar to the first ring band and a central piece which has one or more jewels embedded thereon.

One method for assembling the ring is where the bands are laid flush on a level surface with the flanges abutting and pointing upwards. The central piece is lowered over the upturned flanges and then the bands are rotated towards each other, locking the flanges into an internal socket inside the central piece. A second method is to place the central piece upside down with the socket opening facing up. The flanges of the left and right bands are inserted so that the plane of the bands is parallel to the surface and then the bands are rotated towards each other until the bands meet and the flanges lock inside the socket.

In the assembled state the bands lie parallel and the flanges lock the decorative, central piece (e.g. having a jewel embedded thereon), in place, in an unmoving manner. The flanges of the bands hook inside the central piece, holding all the pieces together by lever tension. As such, the flanges of the bands form the male-type connectors and the central piece includes a socket which is the female-type receptacle. Any of the three elements can be interchanged with a similar element having a different design or decoration. In an assembled state, the three parts interconnect and are held in place appearing as a single decorative, double banded, ring with the central decorative piece.

According to the present invention there is provided a ring assembly, including: a circumferential component including a protruding member; and a decorative component, having decorative indicia disposed on an upper surface, and a socket opening disposed in a lower surface having dimensions corresponding to the protruding member, the ring assembly being movable from an initially disassembled state to a fully assembled state in which the protruding member is inserted in the socket opening, and engages the decorative component.

According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below the circumferential component includes a first member and a second member; the protruding member includes a first curved rod extending from the first member and a second curved rod extending from the second member, the first and second curved rods abutting to define the protruding member; and wherein assembly of the ring assembly involves moving the first and second members in relation to each other moving into proximity with each other such that the curved rods engage the decorative member and lock the band component and the decorative component together when the first member is located axially adjacent to the second member.

According to still further features the first and second members are of a shape selected from the group including: circular, toroidal, square, oval, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal.

According to further features the first and second members include mating surfaces that abut in the fully assembled state, and wherein the first and second curved rods extend perpendicular to the mating surfaces.

According to further features the first and second curved rods are in sliding engagement with each other via a mating arrangement.

According to further features the mating arrangement is a tongue and groove arrangement.

According to further features the mating surfaces include a coupling arrangement.

According to further features the coupling arrangement is a ball and socket arrangement.

According to further features, in the disassembled state the decorative component, the first member and the second member are dissociated from each other.

According to further features in a first partially assembled state the first curved rod abuts the second curved rod, such that terminal ends of the curved rods define the protruding member.

According to further features in a second partially assembled state, the protruding member is inserted into the socket of the decorative component.

According to further features in a third partially assembled state, the curved rods are pivoted against shelf edges that define a socket opening of the socket, such that the first and second members are moved in relation to each other.

According to further features in the fully assembled state the first member is located axially adjacent to the second member so as to present an outer surface providing a unitary appearance and the curved rods lock the decorative component onto the circumferential component.

According to another embodiment there is provided a method of assembling a ring assembly, including: providing a first circumferential member and a second circumferential member each circumferential member having a planar, mating surface and a curved rod extending perpendicular to the mating surface; abutting the curved rod of the first circumferential member with the curved rod of the second circumferential member such that terminal surfaces of the abutting curved rods define a protruding member; inserting the protruding member through a socket opening into a cavity defined in an underside of a decorative component, the decorative component having decorative indicia disposed on a topside thereof; moving the first and second circumferential members proximally in relation to each other until the first circumferential member is located axially adjacent to the second circumferential member providing a unitary appearance and the curved rods lock the decorative component onto the first and second circumferential members.

According to further features the curved rod of the first circumferential member and the curved rod of the second circumferential member are in sliding engagement with each other via a mating arrangement.

According to further features the mating arrangement is a tongue and groove arrangement. According to further features the mating surfaces include a coupling arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of one embodiment of an assembled ring system;

FIG. 1B is an isometric view of one embodiment of the innovative ring system in a first intermediate stage of assembly;

FIG. 1C is an isometric view of one embodiment of the innovative ring system in a second intermediate stage of assembly;

FIG. 1D is an isometric view of one embodiment of the innovative ring system in a third intermediate stage of assembly;

FIG. 1E is an isometric view of one embodiment of the innovative ring system in a disassembled state;

FIG. 1F is a cutaway, cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an assembled ring system;

FIG. 2A is an isometric bottom view of one embodiment of an assembled ring system; (FIG. 2B—Null.)

FIG. 2C is an isometric bottom view of one embodiment of the innovative ring system in a second intermediate stage of assembly;

FIG. 2D is an isometric bottom view of one embodiment of the innovative ring system in a third intermediate stage of assembly;

FIG. 2E is an isometric bottom view of one embodiment of the innovative ring system in a disassembled state;

FIG. 2F is a cross-sectional bottom view of one embodiment of an assembled ring system;

FIG. 3A is an isometric bottom view of a second embodiment of the innovative ring system in a disassembled state;

FIG. 3B is an isometric top view of a second embodiment of the innovative ring system in a disassembled state;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are bottom views of the exemplary decorative piece 150A of FIG. 3A from two different angles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles and operation of a ring system with interchangeable elements, according to the present invention, may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate various stages of assembly of innovative ring system of the immediate invention. FIGS. 2E-2A illustrate similar stages to FIGS. 1A-1E (excluding a view comparable to 1B), but from a different perspective and in the reverse order of assembly. FIGS. 1F and 2F illustrate cutaway, cross-sectional views of the innovative ring system in the assembled state, from two different perspectives. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate variations of another embodiment of the invention, in a fully disassembled state. FIG. 3A is a bottom view of the system including a first variation of the decorative piece. FIG. 3A is a top view of the system having including a second variation of the decorative piece.

As can be seen, for example, in FIG. 1A, the present innovative ring system includes a general circumferential (loop) section 10 and a decorative, central section 15. The term ‘circumferential’ is understood herein to encompass any shape that forms a complete circuit, such that a band that has a circumferential shape can be fitted over a finger. The shape may round, toroidal, square, oval, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or any other shape. Also included within the definition of ‘circumferential’ is an incomplete circuit, that when applied to the shape of a ring would secure such a band about the finger of a wearer even if the band is slightly open at some point.

In a preferred embodiment, a ring assembly 100 includes a circumferential component 10 and a decorative component 15. The circumferential component 10 includes a protruding member 102 (e.g. see FIG. 2D). The decorative component 15 has decorative indicia disposed on an upper surface, e.g., a signet, a gem or a plurality of gems etc. that are set into the upper surface of the decorative component. Further, the decorative component has a socket opening 152 (see for example FIG. 2E or 3A) disposed in a lower surface of the component. The socket opening has dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of protruding member 102. The ring assembly 100 is movable from an initially disassembled state such as seen, for example, in FIGS. 1E, 2E, 3A, 3B, to a fully assembled state (e.g. FIGS. 1A, 2A) in which protruding member 102 is inserted in socket opening 152, and engages the decorative component 15 (e.g. FIGS. 1F, 2F).

In FIGS. 1A and 1E, illustrations of ring assembly 100 made in accordance with the principles of the present invention are shown in two different states. In particular, FIG. 1A illustrates the ring assembly 100 with the ring elements in a fully assembled state, and FIG. 1E illustrates the ring assembly 100 with the ring elements in a fully disassembled state. In the preferred embodiment, the ring assembly includes a first circumferential member 110 and a second circumferential member 120. The members that are arranged, in the fully assembled state (locked), in an adjacent and axial relationship to one another. The principles of the present invention encompass a finger ring having more than two band members as well as members that are toroidal, oval, square or any other shape suitable for a finger ring.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first and second members 110, 120 are circular in shape, with flat inside and outside surfaces and flat sides. The circumferential members respectively having circular inner surfaces 116, 126 (best seen in FIGS. 1A-1E), mating surfaces 118, 128 (best seen in FIGS. 2E-2C) and outer surfaces 114, 124 (best seen in FIGS. 1A-1E and 2E-2A). The mating surfaces 118, 128 of both members are generally disc shaped and planar. The planer arrangement permits the two disc shaped mating surfaces 118, 128 to be closely adjacent each other when the finger ring 100 is in its fully assembled state without presenting any gaps or spaces around the outer surfaces 114, 124 of the finger ring. Thus, the finger ring 100 has a unitary appearance in the fully assembled state. The outer surfaces 114, 124 of each of the toroidal members can be of any shape. For the comfort of the ring wearer and/or for aesthetic reasons, in some embodiments, the inner surfaces 116, 126 and outer surfaces 114, 124 and the sides opposite the mating surfaces may be slightly beveled and/or rounded and/or smooth or any other design, as is known in the art.

First member 110 includes a first, innovative, curved rod 130 extending from outer surface 114. The protruding member 102 is constructed/formed, when first and second curved rods lie adjacent to each other, as is described in further detail below.

Reference is now made to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3A (variation 1) and 3B (variation 2). The description applies equally to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1E, 2E, except for the elements in which the embodiments differ, and which are explicitly discussed below. Curved rod 130 includes a quarter curved section 132, that extends through 90 degrees and terminates at a rectangular cross-section (not seen). In preferred embodiments, as seen for example in FIG. 3B (but likewise applies to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1E, 2E, as mentioned), curved rod 130 further comprises an option, straight extension piece 134 also having a rectangular cross section 135. Second member 120 likewise includes a second curved rod 140 extending from outer surface 124. Curved rod 140 also includes a quarter curved section 142, that likewise extends through 90 degrees and terminates at a rectangular cross-section (not shown). In preferred embodiments, curved rod 140 also further comprises an optional, straight extension piece 144 also having a rectangular cross section 145. In preferred embodiments, the length of the rectangular cross section is approximately double the width thereof (and therefore, when the first and second curved rods lie adjacent to each other they form a square).

In preferred embodiments, the loop section/circumferential component/band portion, includes a first circumferential member 110 and a second circumferential member 120 that are configured to be arranged adjacent to one another, such that the extension pieces 134, 144 of curved rods 130, 140 abut, so as to defined a [substantially square] protrusion 102, as seen in FIG. 1D. The principles of the present invention encompass a protrusion including more than two curved rod members as well as having a shape that is round, oval, rectangular or any other shape suitable for a protruding piece that is configured to engage the decorative section to the loop section, in the manner described below. Correspondingly, the curved rod will each have a corresponding shape which is half of the final shape of the protruding member.

While the aforementioned embodiments depicted in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 1A-E, 2A-2E are merely exemplary, the principles of the invention encompass any configuration wherein first and second circumferential (round, square, oval, toroidal etc.) members include mating surfaces that abut in the fully assembled state, and the first and second curved rods or protrusions extend perpendicular to the mating surfaces, so that each terminal end of the curved rods is at a right angle (90 degrees) with the respective mating surface.

After describing the elements which make up the circumferential component and briefly describing the decorative component, there follows a description of the assembly process for ring assembly 100. As discussed above, the circumferential members are positioned adjacent to each other (shown in FIGS. 1D, 2D) such that the curved rods, or protrusions 130, 140, define a protruding member 102 which is inserted into socket opening 152 in decorative component 15 (shown in FIGS. 1C, 2C). The ring is moved to the fully assembled state by moving the first and second members 110, 120 in relation to each other moving into proximity with each other (see FIG. 1B) such that the curved rods engage the decorative member and lock the band/circumferential component 10 and decorative component 15 together when the first member 110 is located axially adjacent so the second member 120.

Even though some of the assembly process has been detailed above, the entire procedure is detailed below with reference to FIGS. 1A-1E. For the sake of convenience and clarity, the steps for going from the fully disassembled state to the fully assembled state are discussed, working backwards from FIG. 1E to FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E illustrates an initial fully disassembled state, where the decorative component 15, 150 and the first and second circumferential members 110, 120 are disassociated and spaced apart from each other.

FIG. 1D illustrates a first intermediate stage of arranging the ring system. In the first partially assembled state, the first curved rod 130 abuts the second curved rod 140, such that terminal ends of the curved rods 135, 145 define the protruding member 102. In this stage of assembly, the mating surfaces 118, 128 are co-planner, i.e. they lie on the same plane. In the depicted, exemplary embodiment, the flat rectangular surfaces 135, 145 form a substantially square surface.

FIG. 1C illustrates a second partially assembled state, in which protruding member 102 (comprised of the terminal ends of curved rods 130, 140) is inserted into the socket 152 of the decorative component 15, 150.

FIG. 1B illustrates a third partially assembled state, the first and second circumferential members are rotated towards each other, and depicted about half way between the second partially assembled state and the fully assembled state (at about a 45° angle relative to the flat bottom section of decorative piece). Arrows indicate the closing/opening directions in which the members are rotated/pivoted.

Referring briefly to FIG. 1F, it is understood that as the exposed sections of the circumferential members 110, 120 rotate together towards each other, the curved rods 130, 140, disposed inside the socket cavity of decorative piece 150, are pivoted against shelf edges 156 that define a socket opening 154 of the socket 152, in such a manner that when the first and second members are moved in relation to each other, the curved rods move towards the shelf edges.

FIG. 1A illustrates the fully assembled state in which the [planar, mating surface 118 of the] first member 110 is located axially adjacent to the [planar, mating surface 128 of the] second member 120 so as to present an outer surface providing a unitary appearance. At the same time, as seen in FIG. 1F, the straight extension pieces 134, 144 of the curved rods 130, 140, come to rest on internal surfaces of shelves 156 and lock the decorative component 15, 150 onto the circumferential component 10.

The internal movement of the curved rods within the socket cavity are discussed below in further detail. FIG. 3A illustrates a bottom view of one exemplary decorative component/piece 150A. A top view of a second exemplary decorative piece 150B is illustrated in FIG. 3B. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate bottom views of the exemplary decorative piece 150A of FIG. 3A from two different angles. In FIGS. 3A, 4A and 4B, a socket 152 is visible disposed in the underside of decorative piece 150, 150A, 150B (hereinafter simply referred to as decorative component 150). In the depicted exemplary embodiment, a socket opening 154 is disposed in the center of the bottom surface of decorative piece 150. The socket opening is exemplarily square in shape, corresponding to the exemplary square shape of protrusion 102. In order to give the ring assembly 100 an aesthetically pleasing look, the bottom surface 157 of the decorative piece, excluding the socket opening, is slightly convex, providing the piece with a skirting appearance. Furthermore, beveled recessed members 158, on either side of the opening 154, provide the space for the circumferential members to fill the recessed areas, providing the fully assembled piece with a contiguous look (most clearly seen in FIG. 1A).

The internal volume of socket 152 is most clearly visible in FIG. 1F (and to a lesser degree in FIG. 2F). FIG. 1F depicts a cutaway, cross-sectional view of ring system 100 in the fully assembled state. Inner surfaces of decorative piece 150 define an empty cavity of socket 152. A minimal height H₁ of the internal, empty cavity of socket 152 is dictated by a length L₁ of a section of the curved rod that extends beyond, and perpendicular to, the external surfaces 114, 124 of the first or second members 110, 120. A width W₁ of the socket cavity is dictated by the length L₁ together with a thickness T₁ of the curved rod (which is substantially equivalent to the thickness of each of the toroidal members), multiplied by two.

As can be seen in FIG. 1A, curved rods 130, 140 rest on the internal surfaces of left and right shelves 156. When the first and second members are locked in the fully assembled state, the curved rods hold the decorative piece 150 in place. Preferably, the edges of shelves 156, which define opening 154, are rounded and smooth, thereby allowing the curved rods to pivot against edges 156 when going between the fully assembled state (locked position) and a partially disassembled state (unlocked position).

The first configuration depicted in FIGS. 1A-1F/2A-2F has two distinctive variations which distinguish it from the second configuration depicted in FIGS. 3A, 3B. In the first configuration, the first and second curved rods 130, 140 are in sliding engagement with each other via a mating arrangement. In one exemplary embodiment, the mating arrangement is a tongue and groove arrangement. As best seen in FIG. 1E, first curved rod 130 includes a tongue protuberance 136 which mates with a groove indentation 146 in second curved rod 140. By contrast, curved rods 130 and 140 of the second configuration (FIGS. 3A-3B) are indistinguishable from each other, having no mating arrangements.

The second distinctive variation, is clearly visible in FIGS. 2B-2F. In the first configuration mating surfaces 118, 128 include a coupling arrangement, which engages the circumferential members together. Exemplarily, the coupling arrangement is a ball and socket arrangement. As seen, for example, in FIG. 2E, mating surface 118 has a ball element 119 protruding there-from and mating surface 128 has a socket depression 129 formed therein. FIG. 2F depicts the ball and socket coupling arrangement in a locked state.

In one embodiment, ring assembly 100 includes the mating arrangement 136, 146. In another embodiment, ring assembly 100 includes the coupling arrangement 119, 129. In a third embodiment, ring assembly 100 includes both the mating arrangement and the coupling arrangement. In a fourth embodiment, ring assembly 100 has neither a coupling arrangement nor a mating arrangement.

In the aforementioned, fourth embodiment (e.g. FIG. 3B), first member 110 and second member 120 can be interchanged, as they are identical. In the other three embodiments, a first member includes a male-type guide member (mating arrangement) and/or a male-type coupling member and a second member includes a female-type guide member, and/or a female-type coupling member (or vice verse or a combination thereof) such that the first and second members cannot be interchanged with each other, only with other members having the corresponding types of guide members and/or coupling members.

The present innovative ring assembly is an interchangeable ring assembly wherein each of the decorative component, first circumferential member and second circumferential member can be interchanged with similar members (and with each other, in some embodiments, as discussed heretofore).

In some embodiments, the outer surface 114 of first member 110, on either side of first curved rod 130, are unadorned. In other embodiments, the sides, referred to herein as shoulders, are adorned with decorations that may be mounted on, or set in, the shoulders. Alternatively or additionally, shoulders may be stylized with curves or decorations formed from the material of the shoulders. Similarly, the shoulders, on either side of curved rod 140 of second member 120, may or may not be decorated, as with first member 110. Having different colored gems on different members increases the number of variations that can be made by interchanging the circumferential members with each other and/or with other similar members, as well as interchanging the decorative pieces such as decorative piece 150A, depicted in FIG. 3A and decorative piece 150B, depicted in FIG. 3B.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ring assembly, comprising: a circumferential component including a protruding member; and a decorative component, having decorative indicia disposed on an upper surface, and a socket opening disposed in a lower surface having dimensions corresponding to said protruding member, the ring assembly being movable from an initially disassembled state to a fully assembled state in which said protruding member is inserted in said socket opening, and engages said decorative component.
 2. The ring assembly of claim 1, wherein said circumferential component includes a first member and a second member; said protruding member includes a first curved rod extending from said first member and a second curved rod extending from said second member, said first and second curved rods abutting to define said protruding member; and wherein assembly of the ring assembly involves moving said first and second members in relation to each other moving into proximity with each other such that said curved rods engage said decorative member and lock said band component and said decorative component together when said first member is located axially adjacent to said second member.
 3. The ring assembly of claim 2, wherein said first and second members are of a shape selected from the group including: circular, toroidal, square, oval, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal.
 4. The ring assembly of claim 2, wherein said first and second members include mating surfaces that abut in said fully assembled state, and wherein said first and second curved rods extend perpendicular to said mating surfaces.
 5. The ring assembly of claim 2, wherein said first and second curved rods are in sliding engagement with each other via a mating arrangement.
 6. The ring assembly of claim 5, wherein said mating arrangement is a tongue and groove arrangement.
 7. The ring assembly of claim 4, wherein said mating surfaces include a coupling arrangement.
 8. The ring assembly of claim 7, wherein said coupling arrangement is a ball and socket arrangement.
 9. The ring assembly of claim 2, wherein in said disassembled state said decorative component, said first member and said second member are dissociated from each other.
 10. The ring assembly of claim 2, wherein in a first partially assembled state said first curved rod abuts said second curved rod, such that terminal ends of said curved rods define said protruding member.
 11. The ring assembly of claim 2, wherein in a second partially assembled state, said protruding member is inserted into said socket of said decorative component.
 12. The ring assembly of claim 2, wherein in a third partially assembled state, said curved rods are pivoted against shelf edges that define a socket opening of said socket, such that said first and second members are moved in relation to each other.
 13. The ring assembly of claim 2, wherein in said fully assembled state said first member is located axially adjacent to said second member so as to present an outer surface providing a unitary appearance and said curved rods lock said decorative component onto said circumferential component.
 14. A method of assembling a ring assembly, comprising: providing a first circumferential member and a second circumferential member each circumferential member having a planar, mating surface and a curved rod extending perpendicular to said mating surface; abutting said curved rod of said first circumferential member with said curved rod of said second circumferential member such that terminal surfaces of said abutting curved rods define a protruding member; inserting said protruding member through a socket opening into a cavity defined in an underside of a decorative component, said decorative component having decorative indicia disposed on a topside thereof; moving said first and second circumferential members proximally in relation to each other until said first circumferential member is located axially adjacent to said second circumferential member providing a unitary appearance and said curved rods lock said decorative component onto said first and second circumferential members.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said curved rod of said first circumferential member and said curved rod of said second circumferential member are in sliding engagement with each other via a mating arrangement.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said mating arrangement is a tongue and groove arrangement.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein said mating surfaces include a coupling arrangement. 